Snyder declares disaster after Michigan flooding

By Associated Press

May 07, 2013 4:16 PM

LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday declared a state of disaster in 19 counties and two cities that dealt with recent flooding, directing that state resources be available to help with recovery efforts.

Snyder said he has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to join state and local officials later this week to assess the damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure. The assessment is an initial step to help the state determine whether to ask for federal assistance.

The flooding lasted from April 9 through late last week. Snyder's declaration affects Grand Rapids, Ionia and 19 counties across Michigan.

The flooding closed a 20-mile stretch of highway in the Upper Peninsula. The Grand Rapids River came uncomfortably close to breaching its flood walls and causing disastrous flooding in Grand Rapids.

In the western Lower Peninsula, authorities said Tuesday that people can consider contact with the Grand River in Kent and Ottawa counties.

Kent County health officer Adam London said there still are some concerns about "the potential for harmful organisms in surface water."

The health department in neighboring Ottawa County made a similar announcement for the Grand River and Deer Creek, WGHN-AM reported. A sanitary sewer overflow in Coopersville last month led Ottawa County health officials to issue a no body contact order for Deer Creek.